Samsara, a particularly special great realm—reincarnation and rebirth, losing the memories of the previous life, transforming into a mortal body to live out another existence.
Perhaps one becomes a human, perhaps a demon, perhaps a beast, perhaps a plant... The other life born from reincarnation is uncertain, filled with unknowns.
Moreover, in reincarnation and rebirth, memories are not retained. Like a newborn infant, only upon reaching certain conditions can one awaken and recover the memories of the previous life.
During this time, once the memories of the previous life are awakened, one can detach the Primordial Spirit at any time, return to the original body, transcend reincarnation, and achieve the status of a peerless Heavenly King.
But saying it is easy, in reality, it is very difficult. Those who truly awaken from Samsara are fewer than one in ten cultivators who attempt the crossing of Samsara.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be so few Heavenly Kings in the world.
Because awakening is too difficult. More people are forever lost in Samsara, never awakening to the memories of their past lives. They grow old and die with that lifetime, fading into oblivion, never again able to transcend reincarnation.
As for figures like the Sun God, Yuan Yao Divine King, and Cang Jitian—these Immortal True Kings were able to awaken due to their own extraordinary brilliance and the immense price paid by great sages of previous generations. Otherwise, they would not have awakened so easily.
Naturally, the reason they do not transcend reincarnation is because they wish to attempt the Supreme Law, to cultivate in this lifetime, to merge the Dao Fruits of both lifetimes, to take another step against the heavens on the ninth heaven, achieving Extreme Sublimation and standing as the mythical Tenth Heaven.
Otherwise, they could have long since transcended reincarnation and become Heavenly Kings.
As for Ye Chen, while he has the thought of re-cultivating in this life, it is more due to the great calamity of his previous life's fall. He simply cannot transcend reincarnation like ordinary people; he can only re-cultivate based on this lifetime's body.
Of course, these matters also touch upon the deeper levels of the Reincarnation realm. Among those who undergo reincarnation, often not even one in ten can truly traverse Samsara, resulting in an extremely low probability.
The Peacock King is one of them. He failed in Samsara, yet ultimately survived. One cannot help but call it a miracle.
Ye Chen said, "Why did the Samsara fail?"
He didn't believe it was due to the Peacock King's own reasons. He felt there seemed to be hidden circumstances, which concerned him.
"Must I say it?" Seeing Ye Chen's serious expression, the Peacock King could only sigh lightly. "Actually, at the moment of my Samsara awakening, I was ambushed. Someone struck and killed my reincarnated body."
This was the first time he had actively mentioned this matter to an outsider; it was unknown to others.
The reason for the Peacock King's failure in Samsara was indeed not due to his own shortcomings, but because of another's intervention. At the moment of awakening, just as he was about to transcend reincarnation, an enemy suddenly launched a sneak attack.
Unfortunately, the Peacock King's reincarnated body perished, body and Dao extinguished. But fortunately, the Peacock King had already awakened at that time. He timely executed a divine ability, splitting off a wisp of his Primordial Spirit, which fled into the void and managed to escape, returning to his original body.
However, the consequences were severe. He was unable to completely transcend reincarnation; his Primordial Spirit was missing a part, and his injuries were serious. But later, by drawing on the various experiences from within Samsara, he managed to advance further from a high foundation, becoming a Reincarnation-level supreme powerhouse.
Throughout this process, the Peacock King spoke calmly and composedly, but Ye Chen knew that the situation back then must have been filled with peril, even life-and-death crisis. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been forced to take the step of splitting his Primordial Spirit.
Ye Chen had never imagined that his friend, a dazzling Space King, had encountered such a plight, his advancing cultivation path brutally severed.
Though spoken calmly and composedly, the background must have been filled with bitterness.
After all, climbing to the pinnacle of the Great Dao is the dream of every cultivator, especially for such a brilliant figure with broad prospects. To have it severed midway must have been filled with pain.
Although a Reincarnation-level supreme powerhouse is considered a super powerhouse—more than sufficient to be the master of a Sacred Land even within the myriad realms—both Ye Chen and the Peacock King clearly understood one point: whether it's a Saint Lord or a Reincarnation-level supreme powerhouse, those who truly stand at the pinnacle of the pyramid start from the Heavenly King level.
Compared to Heavenly Kings, Reincarnation-level supreme powerhouses are merely stronger than Saint Treasury Realm experts, but they fall far short of true Heavenly Kings.
If Ye Chen found himself in such a predicament where his cultivation path was severed, he would probably feel despair.
Seeing the bitter smile at the corner of the Peacock King's mouth, Ye Chen felt a pang of sorrow—sorrow for his friend.
The Peacock King smiled, a hint of self-mockery in his expression. "It's fine. Now, in a way, it's good. I can serve as a domain supreme powerhouse in the demon race territory of the Ancient Emperor Realm, commanding the vast demon race."
Ye Chen patted his shoulder. "Peacock King, don't be too disheartened. Because failing in Samsara doesn't necessarily mean you cannot re-enter the Heavenly King realm."
Hearing this, the Peacock King was greatly shocked, then looked at Ye Chen with overflowing joy, urgently speaking up: "Qian Yue, are you speaking the truth?"
It was evident that the Peacock King truly cared about whether he could achieve the Dao again. After all, he was still young, with sufficiently long years ahead. Naturally, he did not wish to be forever confined to this step.
"That's right." Ye Chen nodded. "Throughout the ages, there have been some dazzlingly brilliant figures who failed while struggling through the crossing of Samsara, but ultimately still transcended reincarnation and ascended to the Heavenly King realm. Have you forgotten Senior Wangchen?"
Wangchen, a Heavenly King of the Heavenly Gate, a Heavenly King filled with legend.
He was an ancient super powerhouse who had nearly reached the Heavenly King realm. But like the Peacock King's experience, at the critical moment, someone struck, nearly killing him. Only a wisp of his remnant spirit remained unextinguished, sealed away to survive to the present era. Relying on some means, he defied the heavens and returned several years later, re-ascending to the Heavenly King domain.
It could be said that Heavenly King Wangchen was a living example.
The Peacock King naturally remembered and had even had some contact with him. It was just that previously, due to his own failure in Samsara, he thought he had no hope in this lifetime. Now, hearing Ye Chen mention it, he truly recalled this matter. The eyes that had been like dead ashes regained a glimmer of hope.
Back then, Wangchen survived nine deaths, even with only a wisp of remnant spirit, and managed to defy the heavens to return and achieve Heavenly King status. His current state was much better than Wangchen's back then; at the very least, he was a Reincarnation-level supreme powerhouse, so the hope was naturally greater.
"I'm not too clear on the specifics. One day, after we leave the Ancient Emperor Realm, let's go to the Heavenly Gate together, personally visit Senior Wangchen, and properly inquire." Ye Chen said.
The Peacock King naturally agreed, filled with joy. He had never imagined that hope had rekindled after his failure in Samsara.
Although success wasn't guaranteed, at least there was some hope first.
Meanwhile, Xia Miao'er, standing to the side, was puzzled about what place the 'Heavenly Gate' mentioned by the two was. She had never heard of it, but it seemed to be a very remarkable place.